What is the Meaning & Definition of Gingivitis

The Gingivitis word derives from the latin gingiua which refers to gum and Greek itis which is a suffix meaning inflammation, in such a way that Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. Gums are a firm tissue that lines the edges of the jaws and the alveoli, which are the cavities where the teeth, she's firmly adheres to the tooth surface for what constitutes an element that contributes to that these are kept fixed.
The union between the tooth and the gums is a critical point where gingival problems arise since there is a small Groove that accumulate nutrients, when hygiene is inadequate and these residues are not removed properly are colonized by bacteria that begin to multiply and cause a layer that is known as plaque. The plaque is a focal point from which will produce the disintegration of calcified tissues of the teeth surface thus giving origin to dental caries.
When the plate is not removed properly it calcifies, giving rise to the Tartar or calculus, which is a hard deposit that inflames the gum giving rise to gingivitis. This is mainly due to two reasons, first the mechanical effect of the calculus and second bacteria housed there produce a number of chemical substances that trigger an immune response capable of damaging the fabric, these mechanisms trigger symptoms that accompany such as pain, redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums gingivitis.
If this process progresses is going to complicate with changes in deeper tissues which are responsible for coating the tooth in its cavity and keep it fixed, thus giving rise to Periodontitis, disorder in which also retracts the gums and expose is the necks of the teeth that brings as a result that they come loose and fall.
Gingivitis is a local process, desencadernarse can or aggravated by systemic diseases such as diabetes, conditions such as pregnancy, and even the use of medications as it is the case of phenytoin. In the past it was often gingivitis by a disease called scurvy suffered by sailors whose cause was deficiency of vitamin C.
On the other hand the gingivitis are bulbs from which the bacteria can migrate to colonize other tissues, vacuumed and pass through the respiratory airway, or can pass into the blood and travel through the circulatory system to the heart, colonizing their internal membrane called endocardium, thus giving rise to a serious disease called Bacterial Endocarditis.
Factors such as day care with a good technique of brushing and flossing are the best way to prevent the onset of gingivitis, this must be complemented with a regular visit to the dentist to assess the State of the gingiva and practice a dental cleaning and elimination of the calculation. In some cases the gingivitis deserves to be treated with procedures more complex, especially when there are abscesses or other associated injuries.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.